Vermont Man Charged With Aggravated Murder After Allegedly Assaulting and Burning 82-year-old Neighbor

A Vermont man is suspected of sexually assaulting his 82-year-old neighbor, killing her, and burning her body in the woods, according to investigators.

Darren Martell Jr., 23, is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Roberta Martin, according to a Vermont State Police news release.

The case was revealed on July 17 when Martin’s neighbors checked up on her at her Butternut Hollow Road home in Enosburgh, where she lived alone, and discovered no signs of her but evidence of a break-in. A sliding glass door was found open, an air conditioner had been removed from a window, duct tape was discovered on the bedroom floor, and “dolly cart” tracks from the house went to an adjacent property, according to VTDigger, citing the affidavit.

Police also discovered a pillow with a “red-brown stain,” according to the St. Albans Messenger.

Searchers investigated more than 1,500 acres around Martin’s property with aerial drones and ground-based police dogs to find the 5 foot 1 inch tall, 115-pound woman.

Her remains were discovered days later, on Sunday, less than a mile from her home on Sand Hill Road, according to the police release.

Her body was burned and buried, according to an affidavit obtained by local NBC affiliate WPTZ. The official cause of death has not been published.

According to police, DNA evidence from Martin’s body instantly tied Martell to the crime.

Police say he was detained after a foot chase on Monday. He was spotted masturbating in a cemetery, according to local CBS affiliate WCAX. He was booked into jail for indecent and lascivious behavior, according to officials.

While in detention on that accusation, he was charged with aggravated murder in Martin’s death, according to authorities.

According to Law and crime, Martell has a violent past, including abusing animals, and has been described as “psychotic” and “for sure capable of killing someone.”

Martell pleaded not guilty to the aggravated murder allegation on Friday. He was imprisoned without bail at the Northwest State Correctional Facility. The online court docket indicated that a status conference would be held on September 4.